2. Literacy Rate Deforestation Desertification Soil Degradation Over Grazing Afghanistan Iraq Israel Saudi Arabia

3. Literacy Rate- Deforestation- Desertification- is the degradation of land in arid, semi arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various climatic variations, but primarily from human activities. Soil Degradation- Over Grazing-

4. Unitary- a form of government in which power is held by one central authority. Confederation-voluntary associations of independent states that, to secure some common purpose, agree to certain limitations on their freedom of action and establish some joint machinery of consultation or deliberation. Federal-a form of government in which power is divided between one central and several regional authorities.

5. Autocratic-government in which one person possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government. Oligarchic-Government by the few, sometimes a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes. The citizen has very limited role. Democratic-Government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly.

6. Parliamentary-system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature. Presidential-a system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.

7. Middle East Country Comparisons Student Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries

9. Population: 32,738,376 Life expectancy at birth: total population: 44.21 years Ethnic groups: Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27% Religions: Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19% Languages: Afghan Persian (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages 11% Literacy: total population: 28.1%

10. Natural resources: natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones Natural hazards: damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation ; desertification; air and water pollution

11. Country name: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Government type: Islamic republic Capital: Kabul Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Legislative branch: the bicameral National Assembly consists of the House of People (no more than 249 seats)and the House of Elders (102 seats, one-third elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms)

12. Economy – overview: Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. GDP - per capita (PPP): $1,000 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 80% industry: 10% services: 10% Unemployment rate: 40% Agriculture – products: opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins Industries: small-scale production of textiles

13. Middle East Country Comparisons Student Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups Afghanistan damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts limited fresh water resources; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation ; desertification; air and water pollution 32,738,37644.21 years Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi'a Muslim 19% Afghan Persian (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages 11% 28.1% : Islamic republic $1,000 small-scale production of textiles

14. What does the literacy rate for Afghanistan mean for that country’s economy?

16. Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Natural hazards: dust storms, sandstorms, floods Environment - current issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification

17. Population: 28,221,181 Life expectancy at birth: 69 years Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% Religions: Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%- 37%), Christian or other 3% Languages: Arabic, Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkoman (a Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo- Aramaic), Armenian Literacy: total population: 74.1%

18. Country name: Republic of Iraq Capital: Baghdad Government type: Parliamentary democracy Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005); head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006); Legislative branch: Council of Representatives (consisting of 275 members elected by a closed-list, proportional representation system)

19. GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,600 (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 18% to 30% (2006 est.) Agriculture – products: wheat, barley, rice, vegetables, dates, cotton; cattle, sheep, poultry Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing

20. Middle East Country ComparisonsStudent Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups Iraq dust storms, sandstorms, floods inadequate supplies of potable water; development of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers system contingent upon agreements with upstream Turkey; air and water pollution; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification 28,221,181 69 years Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian, or other 5% ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Muslim 97% (Shi'a 60%-65%, Sunni 32%-37%), Christian or other 3% Arabic, Kurdish, Turkoman, Assyrian, Armenian 74.1% Parliamentary democracy $3,600 petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/process ing

21. Work with your partner to answer this question: What similar environmental concerns are shared by Iraq and Afghanistan?

23. Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and the shah was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts. Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Land use: arable land: 9.78% permanent crops: 1.29% other: 88.93% (2005) Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization

24. Life expectancy at birth: 70 years Ethnic groups: Persian 51%, Azeri 24%, Gilaki and Mazandarani 8%, Kurd 7%, Arab 3%, Lur 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmen 2%, other 1% Religions: Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian, and Baha'i) 2% Languages: Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26%, Kurdish 9%, Luri 2%, Balochi 1%, Arabic 1%, Turkish 1%, other 2% Literacy: 77%

25. Country name: Islamic Republic of Iran Capital: name: Tehran Government type: theocratic republic Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989) head of government: President Hassan Rouhani (since 4 August 2013). Legislative branch: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly (290 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms).

26. GDP - per capita (PPP): $8,700 (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 30% industry: 25% services: 45% (2001 est.) Unemployment rate: 15% according to the Iranian government (2007 est.) Agriculture – products: wheat, rice, other grains, sugar beets, fruits, nuts, cotton; dairy products, wool; caviar Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments Exports – commodities: petroleum 80%, chemical and petrochemical products, fruits and nuts, carpets Exports – partners: Japan 14.1%, China 12.9%, Turkey 7.3%, Italy 6.3%, South Korea 5.7%, Netherlands 4.6%, Taiwan 4% (2006) Imports – commodities: industrial raw materials and intermediate goods, capital goods, foodstuffs and other consumer goods, technical services, military supplies Imports – partners: Germany 12.1%, China 10.6%, UAE 9.4%, South Korea 6.2%, France 5.6%, Italy 5.4%, Russia 4.5% (2006)

27. Middle East Country ComparisonsStudent Name _____________________ Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups Iran periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes air pollution, deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization 70 years Persian 51%, Azeri 24% ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Muslim 98% (Shi'a 89%, Sunni 9%) Persian and Persian dialects 58%, Turkic and Turkic dialects 26% 77% theocratic republic $8,700 petroleum, petrochemicals, fertilizers, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and non-ferrous metal fabrication, armaments

30. Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas Terrain: Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley Natural resources: timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand Natural hazards: sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes Environment - current issues: limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

31. Life expectancy at birth: 79 Ethnic groups: Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Religions: Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Languages: Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Literacy: 97.1%

32. Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name: Jerusalem Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) head of government: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (since May 2009Legislative branch: unicameral Knesset (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four- year terms) Judicial branch: Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70)

33. GDP - per capita (PPP): $26,800 (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 8.3% (30 September 2006) Agriculture – products: citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products Industries: high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear Exports – commodities: machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel Exports – partners: US 38.4%, Belgium 6.5%, Hong Kong 5.9% (2006) Imports: $47.8 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.) Imports – commodities: raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods Imports – partners: US 12.4%, Belgium 8.2%, Germany 6.7%, Switzerland 5.9%, UK 5.1%, China 5.1% (2006)

34. Middle East Country Comparisons Student Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups Israel sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes limited arable land and natural fresh water resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides 79 : Jewish 76.4% non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christians 1.7%, other Christian 0.4% Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language 97.1% parliamentary democracy $26,800 high-technology projects (including aviation, communications, computer- aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products…

37. Saudi Arabia is the birthplace of Islam and home to Islam's two holiest shrines in Mecca and Medina. The king's official title is the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman AL SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula Climate: harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes Terrain: mostly uninhabited, sandy desert Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, copper Natural hazards: frequent sand and dust storms Environment - current issues: desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills

38. Life expectancy at birth: 75 years Ethnic groups: Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Religions: Muslim 100% Languages: Arabic Literacy: 78.8%

39. Country name: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Capital: name: Riyadh Government type: monarchy Suffrage: 21 years of age; male Executive branch: chief of state: King and Prime Minister ABDALLAH bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 1 August 2005) elections: none; the monarch is hereditary Legislative branch: Consultative Council (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four- year terms).

40. GDP - per capita (PPP): $13,600 (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 12% industry: 25% services: 63% (1999 est.) Unemployment rate: 13% among Saudi males only (local bank estimate; some estimates range as high as 25%) (2004 est.) Agriculture – products: wheat, barley, tomatoes, melons, dates, citrus; mutton, chickens, eggs, milk Industries: crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer, plastics; metals, commercial ship repair, commercial aircraft repair, construction Exports – commodities: petroleum and petroleum products 90% Exports – partners: Japan 17.6%, US 15.8%, South Korea 9.6%, China 7.2%, Singapore 4.4%, Taiwan 4.4% (2006) Imports – commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, motor vehicles, textiles Imports – partners: US 12.2%, Germany 8.5%, China 7.9%, Japan 7.2%, UK 4.8%, Italy 4.8% (2006)

41. Middle East Country Comparisons Student Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural Hazards Environmental ConcernsPopulation Life Expectancy Ethnic Groups Saudi Arabia frequent sand and dust storms desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills 75 : Arab 90%, Afro- Asian 10% ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Islam Arabic 78.8monarchy $13,600 crude oil production, petroleum refining, basic petrochemicals; ammonia, industrial gases, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), cement, fertilizer…

42. Is Saudi Arabia an oligarchy or monarchy? How would their natural resources impact their economy?

44. Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks.” Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower Natural hazards: severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van Environment current issues: water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

45. Population:71,158,647 (July 2007 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.88 years Turkish Ethnic groups: Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% (estimated) Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, Dimli (or Zaza), Azeri, Kabardian Literacy: definition: 87.4%

46. Country name: Republic of Turkey Capital: name: Ankara Government type: republican parliamentary democracy Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Necdet Ozel (since 16 May 2011) head of government: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (14 March 2003) Legislative branch: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

47. GDP - per capita (PPP): $9,000 (2006 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 35.9% industry: 22.8% services: 41.2% Unemployment rate: 10.2% Population below poverty line: 20% (2002) Agriculture – products: tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, pulse, citrus; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

48. Middle East Country Comparisons Student Name _____________________Class ___________ Name of CountryNatural HazardsEnvironmental ConcernsPopulation Life ExpectancyEthnic Groups Turkey severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey desertification; depletion of underground water resources; the lack of perennial rivers or permanent water bodies has prompted the development of extensive seawater desalination facilities; coastal pollution from oil spills71,158,647 72Turkish 80%, Kurdish 20% ReligionsLanguagesLiteracy Rate Type of GovernmentGDPIndustries Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni)Turkish (official) 87.4 republican parliamentary democracy $9,000 food processing, autos, electronics, mining (coal, chromite, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

49. 3-2-1 List three countries that have Parliamentary Governments List the two highest GDP countries Which country is led by Hamid KARZAI

50. Central Intelligence Agency, World Fact Book. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html 092707